Low vitamin D linked to autism traits by age 6.

Autism is a lifelong developmental condition affecting how an individual relates to his or her environment an to other people. Australian and Netherlands researchers have identified a link between a vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy and autism. Their study found that pregnant women having low vitamin D levels at 20 weeks’ gestation were more likely to have a child who displays autistic traits by the age of six. The study adds to growing evidence that low vitamin D is associated with neurodevelopmental disorders.